“Yes, play. We’re here to have fun, right?” They stripped quickly, leaving their clothes in piles on the couch, and stepped out into the cold.
Brie took a deep breath of the crisp air, stepped down the porch steps, and shifted. Her bones reformed, white fur sprouted through her skin, and suddenly a polar bear stood in the snow. Hunter’s wolf emerged seconds later in a fluid transformation. He had dark gray fur that was nearly black along his spine, and the same intense eyes he had as a human. She butted her head against his shoulder playfully, then took off running toward the lake.
The cold felt glorious against her thick fur, and her bear reveled in it. She rolled in the fresh powder, all four paws in the air, wiggling back and forth. Pure joy bubbled up through herchest. Hunter’s wolf watched her antics with what looked like amusement, his tail wagging.
She made a huffing sound that was almost laughter and took off running toward the lake. He chased her, his long legs closing the distance quickly. She hit the edge of the lake and plunged straight in. The cold water barely registered against her thick fur. She dove under, the world going quiet and blue-green, then surfaced with a satisfied huff.
Hunter’s wolf paced the shoreline, ears perked forward, clearly working up the nerve. Brie paddled in a circle, then climbed out, shaking herself violently. Water flew everywhere, spattering his dark fur. He jumped back, then lunged forward to bump her shoulder with his head, the gesture so playful it made her bear rumble with happiness.
She took off running along the shoreline. He chased her, keeping pace. They wove between the pine trees, their paws kicking up pine needles. She spotted a fallen log and scrambled up onto it, balancing on the narrow surface. She walked its length carefully, then launched herself off the end into a pile of leaves below.
His wolf peered over the edge. She burst out of the leaves and tackled him sideways. They rolled down a small slope, a tangle of wet fur, leaves, and snow. Hunter made a sound that might have been a wolf’s version of laughter.
He recovered first and took off through the trees. She lumbered after him, her bulk making her slower but powerful as she crashed through the underbrush. He circled back and darted between her legs, nearly tripping her. She caught the playfulness in his movements. He was having fun too.
She found a pine tree with low branches and reared up against it, her full weight shaking snow loose from the canopy above. It cascaded down on both of them. His wolf shook it off and sneezed, and the sound made her huff with amusement.
The light had shifted, afternoon sun slanting through the trees at a lower angle. They’d been out longer than she’d realized. Her sides ached from exertion, her body warm despite the cold, feeling more relaxed than she had in months.
Hunter’s wolf nudged her shoulder with his nose, then started walking back toward the cabin. She fell into step beside him, both of them moving slower now, tired and content. Their tracks wound back through the forest, two sets of prints side by side in the snow.
Back at the cabin, they both shifted back to humans, and walked inside naked and covered in mud and leaves.
“Shower?” Hunter said, already heading down the hall.
The shower was small, forcing them close under the spray. Brie tipped her head back, letting the hot water wash away the cold and dirt. Hunter’s hands found her shoulders, working out the tension from their run.
“Don’t start something we can’t finish,” she murmured. “I’m starving.”
“Just warming you up.” But his hands moved to her hair, working shampoo through the wet strands.
They washed quickly, stealing kisses between rinsing soap. When they stepped out, Brie wrapped herself in a towel and headed for her bag in the bedroom. She pulled on leggings anda soft sweater and ran a comb through her wet hair. Hunter dressed in jeans and a thermal shirt.
“I’ll start dinner,” she said, heading to the kitchen.
They worked together. She chopped vegetables while he boiled water for pasta. The kitchen was small enough that they constantly touched, hip to hip at the stove, reaching around each other for ingredients.
The smell of garlic, onions, and tomatoes filled the cabin. Hunter found a bottle of wine in the pantry. “Dom’s emergency stash. Cabernet from a Willamette Valley shifter vineyard.”
They ate at the small dining table. The pasta was simple but perfect, the wine rich and full-bodied. She found herself laughing at Hunter’s story about Ryder accidentally shooting himself with a tranquilizer dart during training.
“He was out for six hours. Dom made him write a report on proper weapon handling while still groggy.”
“Harsh but fair.”
“That’s Dom.” Hunter refilled her wine glass. “Never thought I’d follow another alpha after the military, but he earned it.”
Brie traced the rim of her glass with one finger, studying him in the firelight. “You’re lucky to have found your pack.”
“Yeah.” His voice went soft. “I am.”
The weight of his gaze made her pulse quicken. She stood, wine glass in hand. Hunter followed as she settled onto the couch, drawn by the warmth of the fire.
She kissed him then, pouring everything into the contact. He responded immediately, wine glasses abandoned as he pulledher onto his lap. The kiss deepened, hands tangling in hair, bodies pressing closer.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard, his eyes were dark with want. In the bedroom, they undressed each other slowly, Hunter’s hands reverent as he unbuttoned her shirt. When the fabric fell away, he traced the curve of her shoulder with his fingers, then followed with his mouth. Each kiss left a warm trail on her skin.
She tugged his shirt over his head, revealing the map of scars and tattoos across his chest. Her hands explored each mark, tracing a line that ran from his collarbone to his ribs.
